I've been around the Gamecocks' program since its inception in 1978 ... The game hasn't changed much, but the types of players have -- its so much more athletic these days.
Starting from the back, Mike Gustavson (South Aiken HS) returns for his sophomore campaign and is a menace between the pipes ... At 6-4, 184, Gustavson is one of the nation's top net minders in the country and was tabbed the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2005 as well as being selected to the league's Second Team ... He continues South Carolina's tradition of great goalkeeping along with the likes of Charles Arndt, Warren Lipka, Brad Guzan, etc.
The back line is anchored by senior Makan Hislop of Trinidad & Tobago ... A four year starter, the 6-4, 209-pound figure is a stalwart for the Gamecocks' defense ... He played with the T&T Under-21 squad this summer ... Ryan Leeton (5-11, 185) has tallied more than 40 starts as a defender at USC and he is a heady player ... The Texas native should have a big senior season at Carolina ... Ralph Pace is a player that I really liked watching last year after transferring from Massachusetts ... He's a defensive midfielder and the native of Virginia uses his size (6-2, 203) well and is very good in the air ... Daniel Upchurch (6-1, 181) is another smart guy that plays in the back and the junior from the Lone Star state should have more of an impact this year after making 15 starts as a freshman, but was limited to just three games a year ago ... Brennan Williams (5-7, 151) of Cardinal Newman HS is another cog in the Gamecocks' defense ... He plays outside and has a good pace as a man-marker.
Ramon Paracat (5-9, 183) is a junior from New York ... He's got a cannon of a leg and is kind of a hybrid defensive midfielder, who splits time as a defender as well ... Paracat is a nephew of USC baseball associate head coach Jim Toman ... Rob Charest (5-11, 166) is another transfer from UMass who will be a senior this year ... He's a good athlete who should be a mainstay in the midfield for USC this fall ... J.D. Moon (5-10, 150) of Georgia is a play-making midfielder and should collect his fair share of assists this season ... He is a hard working player with a good motor ... Kevan Hawkins (5-9, 151) played in 16 games as a true freshman last year ... He will be counted on for quality minutes this season ... David Smith (5-11, 176) , another Texan, saw action in 13 matches a year ago with two starts -- he figures to be a key component in 2006 ... The diminuitive Spencer Lewis (5-6, 140) of Irmo HS is an exciting play-maker in the middle and really came on strong at the end of the '06 campaign ... Look for him to contribute even more this year.
Up front is an exciting duo of Mike Sambursky (5-10, 180) and Ayo Akinsete (5-11, 200) ... The pair have combined for 32 goals at USC (Sambursky 13 & Akinsete 19) and compliment each other very well ... Sambursky, who in my opinion is excellent at a wing midfield spot or up top ranging wide, has been tabbed by C-USA as the "Preseason Offensive Player of the Year" after earning First Team All-South Region and C-USA honors a year ago ... A two-year starter, the Texas native is primed for a super senior season! ... Akinsete reminds me of a bull in a China shop -- he's reckless and great at the same time ... He has a great drive about him when he channels his emotions and "want to" and it makes him almost impossible to defend ... However, he can sulk, too, but that is the chance you take with the Nigerian native, who was raised in London, England ... He has started all but three contests since arriving in Columbia and notched 44 points (19 goals, 6 assists) in his Carolina career.
Keep an eye on these newcomers: M/D Mario Burstein; F Jamal Geathers (South Aiken HS); D/M Sam Roca; D/M Jeff Scanella; and M/D Mark Wiltse.
The Gamecocks finished 12-7-2 overall last year and 7-1-1 in Conference USA ... South Carolina made the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season, but USC has not won a postseason match since 1998 and that needs to change in 2006 -- the Gamecocks did not make the playoffs in 1999 or 2003 ... USC whipped Presbyterian, 7-0, in a preseason scrimmage, but I think that is more of a testament to where PC is these days than what to expect vs. Clemson on Friday ... The '06 slate is favorable for USC as the Tigers and Southern Methodist are the only ranked teams on the 16-game schedule ... My early thoughts of a 10-3-3 record and runner-up finish to SMU in C-USA is on the docket for 8/21/06.
